Just 600 votes separate the two major parties in the Labor-held northern Brisbane seat of Petrie, and the Liberal National Party's Luke Howarth is hopeful Palmer preferences will help him beat incumbent Yvette D'Ath.

In Rockhampton-centred Capricornia, LNP candidate Michelle Landry says she had underestimated the popularity of Mr Palmer.

"They were more voting for Clive than anything else. They certainly weren't voting for the candidate," she told AAP.

Mr Palmer believes his party will win the Sunshine Coast seat of Fisher, which former Howard government minister Mal Brough is confident he's bagged for the coalition.

He also claims Senate candidate Jacqui Lambie will win a spot in Tasmania, as will Dio Wang in Western Australia.

And he says his party has a chance in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay-based seat of Hinkler.

Mr Palmer said that like Mr Abbott, he would have some sway over any Palmer party candidates elected to the Senate.

"Well I am the parliamentary leader of the party, just like Tony Abbott is the leader of his party, and my relationship will be similar to his relationship with his senators," Mr Palmer said.

The Palmer party, formed four months ago, had outpolled the century-old Nationals, said Mr Palmer, who once worked as a media adviser for the late Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

Peter Beattie, another former Sunshine State premier and failed Labor candidate for Forde, said Mr Palmer was sure to shake up parliament.

"No one will be able to ignore Clive," he said.

"If Clive has got the balance of power (in the Senate), all I've got to say to all of you is you're gonna have to say a big prayer. But you're going to have a lot of fun."